Many young people use text messaging rather than holding the phone to their ear, but as this pattern of behaviour was not allowed for in the study, it seems that the risk may have been underestimated, as the number of hours they held the phone to their head was less than the hours used overall.

We feel it is important that people should use a wired phone whenever possible to reduce the risks they are exposing themselves to when they use a wireless phone (mobile or DECT).

Ten years may seem like forever to a young person, but it soon slips by. We will soon be experiencing a rise in brain tumour incidence, that could feel like an epidemic as we enter the time of 10 years after mobile phones became commonly used by adults and then children.

Be aware of your family’s mobile phone use. Listen to what the authorities in different countries say about reducing your exposure because of the health risks, outlined in the article library on the EMFields site on ‘Mobile Phones’ and ‘Children and Mobile Phones’. It is not worth just hoping that Hardell and many others are wrong. If necessary buy those you are concerned about a mobile phone screening cover to reduce the exposure to their brain.

Research by Dr. Sidney Lang, an expert on piezoelectricity, which is the production of electric fields by pressure on crystalline structures, has shown that the pineal gland has piezoelectrical activity. Dr Lang hypothesizes that this activity is a function of this granular material and if so it may be responding to narrow wave lenghts.

Once melatonin is produced, its ability to pass through the cell membrane allows it to pass directly into the blood stream. Once in the blood melatonin has access to every cell in the body where it passes through the cell membrane to the cell nucleus, which has receptors for it. A few cell membranes also have receptors for melatonin, which may control the 24 hour circadian rhythm of the endocrine system.

In the cell nucleus, melatonin plays a role in regulating gene expression. The ability of melatonin to enter all cells is also essential for one of the other important functions of melatonin, which is to act as a scavenger of highly toxic oxygen-based free radicals. The production of these free radicals is a consequence of the utilization of oxygen by all organisms. About 1 – 2% of inspired oxygen ends up as toxic free radicals which can damage macromolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids. This damage is referred to as oxidative stress.

Because of its ability to eliminate free radicals, melatonin is probably the most efficient natural cell protection and oncostatic agent in our bodies. At night, melatonin production floods our bodies, eliminating the build up of free radicals that are being produced, allowing the DNA synthesis and cell division to occur with a far lower chance of damage and hence producing more healthy cells. Melatonin also dampens the release of estrogen, prolonged exposure to which may increase the risk of breast cancer.

A recent Swiss study shows that the general public’s RF exposure comes more from masts than from mobile phones, with DECT phones running a close third.

Frei et al (May 2009) produced a study looking at RF exposure experienced by the general population. About one third (32.0%) came from mobile phone masts, mobile phones were responsible for 29.1%, and DECT phones 22.7%.

This means that studies (such as the 13-country Interphone study investigating RF exposure and potential health effects resulting from such exposure) as a result of using mobile phones alone, without allowing for masts and cordless phone usage is flawed, and does not reflect reality. Masts and DECT phones account for more than 70% of people’s of people’s exposure to RF.

Alarm bells sounded by the National Institute for Science, Law and Public Policy to alert legislators and journalists about the hazards of DECT phones and WiFi.

Prof. Magda Havas, a prominent researcher and voice advising caution in the use of wireless technologies, reviews the independent science on the health hazards of wireless radiation.